P3-56 Medium machine-guns

Attachment theory

While a platoon or company of infantry is a dangerous force to fight, it doesn't always carry the best weapon systems available at all times. Units are task-organized to fit their purpose - if the area of operations does not have enemy armor, why carry heavy anti-tank assets? If no aircraft are known to be operating in the area, nor likely to show up even in the most extreme circumstances, why bring anti-air missiles?

Whenever special weapons are needed to fulfill the mission, they come from higher organizational units and are attached to the company or platoon for specific missions. These heavier and more specialized weapons are significant force multipliers, and in this section we will go over the most common attachments you can expect to see, as well as how to best employ them and their particular skill sets.

Medium Machinegun Team (MMG)

The machinegun rules the realm of infantry. The ability to place sustained accurate fire in high volume on the enemy is capable of inflicting a large number of casualties in short order when properly employed. Medium machineguns typically fire a 7.62x51mm caliber bullet or larger - significantly more powerful than the infantry's normal rounds. An MMG has a longer range than an automatic rifle, and by default are loaded to fire daylight-visible tracer ammunition every fifth round.

When employed in a base-of-fire or support-by-fire position, or when employed in the defense, MMGs are a powerful asset to any unit.

An M240 medium machinegun in use

MMG Team Organization & Responsibilities

The MMG team consists of three people - a gunner, assistant gunner, and ammo man. In some situations the team will be reduced to a gunner and assistant-gunner, in which case the assistant-gunner gets the responsibilities of the ammo man as well as his own typical responsibilities.

• Gunner
  • Senior member of the team
  • Carries the MMG
  • Picks the location(s) from which the machinegun will be employed
  • Engages targets and listens to his a-gunner's directions
    
     
• Assistant Gunner
  • Second in command of the team
  • Equipped with binoculars, he acts as a spotter for the gunner
  • Carries some additional ammo for the MMG
  • Gives adjustments to the gunner's fire (up, left, down, right)
  • Scans for and prioritizes targets
    
     
• Ammo Man
  • Junior member of the team
  • Carries additional ammo for the MMG
  • Provides security for the team

The MMG Team uses the same guidelines as the basic fireteam members, with the;

• Gunner using the guidelines for the Automatic Rifleman
• Assistant Gunner using the guidelines for the Assistant Automatic Rifleman
• Ammo Man also using the Assistant's guidelines.